Former Iranian president visits Iraq

BAGHDAD-One of Iran's most powerful political and religious figures—former President Hashemi Rafsanjani—began talks Monday with Iraqi leaders in the latest high-level contacts between the neighboring countries.Rafsanjani's visit to Iraq comes three days after President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. military would end its combat mission in Iraq in August 2010 but leave up to 50,000 soldiers in support roles until the end of 2011.Iran claims that Washington may seek to exert its influence over Iraq even after its troops are gone to maintain pressure on Iran's doorstep. Rafsanjani's visit also will be closely watched for any signals that Tehran may be willing to hold talks with Washington.Also Monday, an Iraqi judge handed down death sentences to three former officials in Saddam Hussein's regime for slayings and abuses against Shiites a decade ago. The defendants included Ali Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali," for ordering poison gas attacks in the 1980s. This was his third death sentence for brutalities during Saddam's rule.Three other former Saddam officials received life sentences while two were acquitted, including former Foreign Minster Tariq Aziz. But Aziz faces other charges and remained in custody.Rafsanjani, an influential Shiite ayatollah, was given a red carpet welcome by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at Baghdad's airport Monday."We hope the era of conflict and hardships for Iraq is coming to an end," Rafsanjani told reporters at a joint news conference.Talabani said Iraqi authorities could benefit from Rafsanjani's "long experience" as a leader who helped rebuild Iran after its war with Iraq.Under Saddam, Iraq fought a brutal war with Iran from 1980-88 that left more than 1 million dead on both sides. But the current Shiite-led government in Baghdad maintains close ties to Iran—a predominantly Shiite Muslim country—though Sunnis and others have questioned whether Tehran wields too much influence over some Shiite Iraqi politicians.
By HAMID AHMED--Associated Press Writer
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